Spokesman: Obama expects to win tough race

WASHINGTON, Feb. 25 (UPI) -- U.S. President Barack Obama expects a "vigorous debate," a "competitive election" and ultimate victory in his fight for second term, a spokesman says.

Deputy Press Secretary Josh Earnest, speaking to reporters Friday, was asked about a statement Obama made in an interview on Univision that he has five more years to work on immigration reform.

"Now, the president, none of my colleagues in Chicago, nobody that works in this building, is under the illusion that it's going to be an easy election; that there will be a time and a place for a vigorous debate, and a competitive election that's good for the democratic process," Earnest said. "It's one that the president and his campaign team will be engaged in, but at the end of the day, the president is confident that he'll be successful."

Obama's poll numbers have improved recently along with the U.S. economy. A Rasmussen Reports daily tracking poll released Friday showed Obama winning 48 percent of the vote in head-to-head matchups with the current leading Republican contenders. Former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney got 41 percent and former Pennsylvania Sen. Rick Santorum 42 percent.